26. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps at an early date to bring before the appropriate committee of the League of Nations the position of Armenian women and children in Asia Minor who have been abducted from their families and are being retained in Turkish harems; and whether the British representatives on the League of Nations will be instructed to support the continuance of the rescue work carried on from Aleppo during 1923 and in the present year under the auspices of the League, which is in danger of being discontinued through lack of funds?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI regret that I cannot add anything to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for North Hackney (Mr. John Harris) on the 30th June. I understand, however, that for some years it has proved impossible, in 11 view of Turkish opposition, to continue any active rescue work of this nature in Turkey, and that the work carried on by the representatives of the League in Aleppo in 1923 was almost entirely restricted to the care of those women and children who had already been rescued, and to the relief of recent fugitives and refugees. His Majesty's Government would be only too glad to do anything of the least practical value.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that is a matter for the League itself. There is a difficulty in giving financial help. If the hon. Member can make any fresh representations raising new points, I shall he very glad to consider them.